In addition to articles that relate to the X’s and O’s of offense, defense, and special teams, GS introduces Dr. Ray Petras to you with this issue. A sports performance and injury management specialist, Dr. Petras discusses – from his perspective – the five elements necessary for success.
Dr. Petras refers to an article entitled, ‘Mental Links to Excellence’ which was written for The Sport Psychologist by Doctors Terry Orlick and John Partington. In their view, a good part of athletic success is based on imagery training, simulation training, and the mental preparation for competition. In the study, athletes were asked to think back and rate their degree of physical, technical and mental readiness prior to an event. Of these three readiness factors, the athletes rated themselves least ready mentally.
One of the interesting aspects of the study was that 99% of the athletes used mental imagery. As a preparation strategy, the athletes used mental imagery once per day, four days a week, for approximately 12 minutes each. The article appears on page 23. Dr. Petras will be a regular contributor to GS.
This issue of GS also includes four clinics on offense, three defensive clinics and one on special teams play. The special teams article, ‘Everyday Drills for Punters’, was written by Dustin Humphries, an assistant coach at Tates Creek High School in Lexington, KY. Drills include the ‘No-Step Drill’, ‘One-Step Drill’, ‘Yard Line Drops’, and the ‘Bucket Drill.’
Additionally, according to physical training consultant Rick Regan, the most desired result from weight training is an increase in lean body mass. His article, ‘Guidelines For Increasing Muscle Mass’ details what can be accomplished by focusing on three areas – diet, hydration, and overload training – that will help increase muscle hyperthrophy.
We welcome your ideas and feedback and want to hear from you. If you would like to submit an article to GS, please email me at rlardner@lcclark.com. We hope you enjoy this issue of GS.
Respectfully,
Rex Lardner
Managing Editor